X markz the spot. On the Mainz 8 it does. The outlet closest to the 'X' is the preferred entry for our preamp/integrated since all else connects to that component. It's how Ansuz optimize their grounding. "Since this star point has the best ground impedance, all sockets in the power distributor ground from here. This can be further optimized with the strong grounding conductor of our power cords." Proven Ansuz noise-attenuating tech under the hood does its work without any attention from our end. There's not even a power switch or associated idiot light. Connect this distributor to your home's AC and it's live.Part of Audio Group Denmark's business plan as the umbrella company owning the brands Aavik, Ansuz & Børresen is a very loaded upgrade path for pretty much anything they sell. To track what this means for your wallet and OCD, here's an 07/2022 Ansuz price list.

As is the case for all Ansuz chassis—also most of Aavik's and for that matter, Børresen speaker enclosures—the main box is MDF/HDF machined to a virtual mirror finish. Four footers/receivers in the corners can take any of the Ansuz Darkz roller-ball decouplers to build in resonance attenuation. If you order the 'wrong' version, a quad of those could set you back €13'360. Best save those for the €42K take on today's distributor. With AGD, it's impossible not to mention their no-prisoners approach once we leave their budget realm. Now that we've opened that door by just a crack, let's quickly slam it shut again. Focus on what's on hand: their entry-level X tier whose first power distributor model is the €1K Mainz8 X. As you'd figure, its '8' signifies the number of outlets which can be EU, Schuko or US/Japan.

By October 11th, this news post hit: "Let the sparkz fly – You can, with the new Ansuz Sparkz TC3 [€1'200]. What is it? Ansuz call it a power-line harmonizer aka noise-cancellation plug for open mains sockets. What's in it? 3rd-gen analog dither tech developed from radar tech where it provides stronger signal across longer ranges. Ansuz do it with six pulsating active Tesla-coil cells and ICs which emit a programmed anti-phase noise signal. The plug houses in cast polyoxymethylene, a semi-crystalline thermoplastic. It can terminate in different pins for various markets. The device measures 39.4×71.2mm. By containing the same tech found in Ansuz power distributors, even ordinary juice bars can be 'hot-rodded' as long as they have at least one spare outlet for a Sparkz TC3."

It was my first indication on what to expect for the 'TC3' suffix of today's Mainz8 X. That radiated frequencies can benefit playback isn't new. From so-called infrasonic Schumann resonators to Bill Stierhout's original QRT, subsequent Nordost versions and again his own brand, our space has seen numerous iterations. Perhaps most relevant to today's component is the actively noise-cancelling headphone. The main difference is noise origin. With headfi, ambient noise fights the music signal. A microphone must measure the noise whilst DSP generates an ideally instant counter-phase signal. The result is superior signal-to-noise ratio with the obvious benefit of not needing the music signal to be very loud to make out all its nuance. With power-line noise, no microphone is needed to isolate noise from music signal. There is no music signal. Anything other than a clean 50/60Hz power sine wave is noise. How to best prevent freeloader freqs from hitching a ride atop the AC is where power-distribution designers beg to differ. Some don't bother at all. LessLoss use skin-effect trickery for passive ultrasonic filtering. Furutech and Shunyata exploit HF-absorptive materials. Active filters by GigaWatt or Puritan Audio Labs use caps and coils. Balanced power from Plixir splits AC voltage into counter-phase halves by transformer. Regenerators from PS Audio use full amplifiers and DSP to create an ideal AC waveform. No matter the solution, low impedance for optimized current flow remains the target.

The Ansuz approach is closer to passive than active competitors in that they don't even consider theirs filters or conditioners, just power distributors. But plainly there's more to it than a passive juice bar, even one pimped out in a heavy metal jacket with massive internal copper rails and quality socketry. How Ansuz pimp out and power up is by massively paralleling three different types of ever more Tesla coils whilst adding what they call anti-aerial wiring and resonance control. The earlier chart told that tale. Prior Børresen speaker reviews here and elsewhere told a tale of dynamic charge, speedy reflexes and great precision. That profile mandates matching power delivery from Ansuz to not curtail dynamics or insert subjective drag. Simply put, the Mainz 8 X-TC3 shouldn't act as dynamic limiter or sonic tamer. Either would be anathema to AGD's sonic aesthetic. Once specs for today's distributor published, the 47 active square Tesla coils of the X-TC remain unchanged but its three passive Tesla coils have replaced with three zirconium anti-aerial resonance coils; and of course dither tech has gone the 3rd-gen route. Just then it gave the X-TC3 tech bragging rights shared only with the Mainz 8 D-TC3 model one down from the top.